Salvation Army Coats for Kids program ready for donations

Saturday

Oct 19, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Shawna Jankoviak Staff Writer, @sjankoviakCDT @sjankoviak

Donations of new or gently-used winter outwear for youth is being collected at area businesses.
Tammy Kauffman, volunteer coordinator of the Cheboygan Salvation Army, said the Coats for Kids program is now up and running, with donations of new or gently-used coats, snowsuits, hats, mittens, gloves and boots being accepted for kids in the community. Drop boxes are located at K-Mart, Glen's Market, Save-A-Lot and the Salvation Army.
The program has been in existence for several years, according to Kauffman. She said it is extremely important to area families in need, who may not have enough money to purchase the items on their own.
“There are kids in this community who go without winter coats or boots,” Kauffman said. “And I foresee this season as being an especially difficult time for people; we are already seeing a lot of people struggling financially, due to the economy.”
Kauffman said the coat rack for the program at the Salvation Army is bare. Around 150 items were given away to kids in need last year, she noted.
“Last year there was a big need for boots, so we are accepting donations of those as well,” she added.
This is Kauffman's first year heading up the program, and she hopes it is a success.
She said other Salvation Army staff has told her that in past years, the drop boxes have filled up every three or four days.
Drop boxes are typically near the entrances of each location and are wrapped in silver and marked with the Salvation Army logo.
Any families with children in need of winter gear should contact the Salvation Army by calling 627-9003.